Cheap DeLonghi BAR32 Retro Pump-Driven 35 ounce Espresso Maker (Kitchen) Price

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Customer Reviews of DeLonghi BAR32 Retro Pump-Driven 35 ounce Espresso Maker

DeLonghi Bar 32 machine
I am a former Krupps Maximo user. After 10 years of replacing the 15 bar pump annually, this machine has an 18 bar pump for half the price. I agree with Kidnugget and Kevin T. Quinn, they have practical tips. It also has a dual thermoblock system, which essentially means the steam iron and espresso block heat simultaneously which makes it all faster, and you can nearly go straight from espresso pumping to steaming/frothing. Beware of pulling steam iron out of milk, big bubbles mean you have scalded your milk. The jet frother is far superior to the Krupps snorkel system- which any italian would slap you upside the head for using. This is twice the machine of any Krupps I have used (Maximo, Novo), more powerful, faster, precision jet frother. I can make a cuppa and cleanup in less than 7 minutes. Either I am used to it, or I am a woman using this machine instead of a man. I do agree with getting your own solid metal tamper, you want to put about 35-45 lbs of packing pressure, which the plastic one on the machine can't provide. I use Lappert beans, strong roast, good creama. Paid $135 for machine, good price. Have not owned it long enough to give 5 stars, would need to know longevity and service record.

Great Performance for the Price
Despairing of ever finding decent espresso in the Midwest, I finally broke down and decided to get a home espresso machine. I had worked as a barrista, and had sipped espresso in Italy, so I had some idea of how it should taste. <
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>Being relatively poor, I wanted a machine that would deliver a decent espresso, at a decent price. Though I was willing to consider a system with proprietary coffee pods (K-cups, Tassimo, etc), it would have to be cheap enough that I wouldn't mind shelling out the extra bucks for the coffee itself. And I also wanted to make sure that it was pump-driven, not steam-driven. <
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>After checking reviews and looking around, I finally settled on the DeLonghi BAR32. It's a pump-driven maker, not steam driven, so it's not scorching the grounds as it brews. And it comes with a single and a double espresso filter. <
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>The DeLonghi uses either ground espresso, or E.S.E. espresso pods. The E.S.E. pods are not proprietary - any company can make them. The DeLonghi comes with a package of 18 Illy pods (retail - $12). The pods are convenient, but still expensive. <
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>I've had the espresso maker for several days, and I'm happy with it so far. With the pods, it pulls a good single espresso with a satisfactory crema. Sugar floats on top of the crema for about 2-3 seconds, and it has a nice golden color. The espresso tastes very smooth. <
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>Pulling a good single espresso, either with the pods or loose coffee, is pretty easy. Use the pods as a good judge of how tightly to pack the grounds in the filter. Use a level, loosely packed scoop of coffee for a single shot. <
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>Pulling a good double, on the other hand, still eludes me. The best I've come up with is to use 2 scoops, 3/4 full and loosely packed, and pressed looser than for a single. Even then, it still dribbles out slowly, with a less-than-satisfactory (though present) crema. <
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>The steam wand works very well. I've made several excellent cappuccinos and lattes with it. It's a little cramped to use, so I pull mine to the edge of the counter so that I can get a good mug under it. I steam straight into the mug of milk, and then add the espresso. Make sure to blow some steam through it to clear out condensation before putting it in your milk. Start with the steam wand nearly submerged in the milk, and then slowly pull it out (lower the mug) until you hear a gentle "sipping" sound. That means that it's frothing. If you see noticeable bubbles on top of the milk, that means you've pulled it out too far - dip it back in slowly and you should be able to whip the bubbles into froth. Once the froth is just below the level you want it, submerge the wand back into the milk to finish heating it. Listen again - once the milk starts to sound "hollow," it's nearly hot enough. Let it go for a few more seconds, then shut off the steam, and remove the mug. The wand will drip a bit, so put it over the drip tray or an empty mug. <
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>Making espresso is fairly easy. Turn the machine to "Heat" to start heating the water and priming the pump. Make sure the filter holder is screwed into the machine. Once the "Hot" light comes on, run an espresso cycle without coffee into the cup you'll use - pulling espresso into a cold cup will ruin the flavor. Fill the cup half-way with hot water, and turn the machine back to "Heat." Empty and quickly dry the espresso cup. Put the E.S.E. pod or ground espresso into the filter (tamp down the loose espresso) and twist it into the machine. Turn the machine on, and wait until you've got your cup of espresso. A single espresso should be 30-40ml, or 1-1.5oz. I used a measuring cup to see what that looked like in my demitasse cups. <
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>Looking back over what I've written, I suppose I do make it look a little complicated. And it is a little bit more complicated that popping the K-cup into the machine, and hitting "Go." But it really is pretty easy, and less than 5 minutes pass between "You know, I could go for a cappuccino," and "Man, that's a tasty cappuccino." <
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>Pros: <
>- Inexpensive <
>- Good pressure <
>- Easy to make a good single shot of espresso <
>- Uses pods or loose grounds <
>- 2 dials + 0 buttons = easy to use <
>- Outstanding steam wand <
>- 32oz water reservoir lets you make 3 or 4 cappuccinos, or 6 to 8 espressos, without refilling <
>- Built-in tamper means one less part to lose <
>- Pre-heat cycle helps make good espresso <
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>Cons: <
>- Hard to make a good double espresso (might just be me) <
>- Steam wand leaks slightly (usually at the start of a brewing cycle - I just keep mine over the drip tray) <
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>In the end, the machine makes a good espresso, especially for the price, but remember that you're not going to be running a coffee shop with it. I definitely recommend it for anybody who wants to make their own espresso, but wants to do it for under $200.